Suryatra 29th Meeting
Date : 12 April, 2009
Place : Anil Bhargav’s House, Jaipur

Suryatra, had distinguished guests in its 29th quarterly meeting on April 12, 2009. Noted Qawwals Sayeed Sabri and his son Fareed Sabri, having their own distinct style of singing, were the guest of honour at the meeting. Sangeeta ji, the daughter of legendry music director Madan Mohan, and Moazzam Ali, former secretary of the Rajasthan Urdu Academy added the grace to the occasion.

Incidentally the day coincided with the birthday of one of the founders of Suryatra M.D. Soni, a veteran journalist and authority of history of Hindi and Rajasthani films and music. Sabris instantaneously sang an Urdu couplet to wish Soni ji a very happy birthday as Soni ji cut the cake and offered the first serving to Senior and Junior Sabri.

Another Sabri, the younger son of Sayeed saab, Ameen Sabri, was expected to grace the occasion, but the family recently celebrated two marriages last week and Ameen saab was still involved with the proceedings. But a relative of Sabri’s, Waheed Khan from Indore, attended the meet with them and he proudly shared his family’s musical association as he told, Ustaad Amir Khaan was a tenant of his family and used to stay in the same home for years .

The first item on the agenda of the meeting was video presentation “Meri Aawaz Hi Pahchan Hai”. The video presentation featured songs in which playback singers appeared on the screen but borrowed voice of other singers. The presentation, prepared by, die hard film music buff and IT expert, Suryatri Pavan Jha, featured videos medley of songs…. Which ones were included, let it be suspense till we post the video presentation here on the site..

Since the two guests of honour, Sayeed Saabri and Fareed Saabri, who have already sung in about 30 bollywood films and appeared in person in a few films, their presence gelled well with the theme of the meeting. A video presentation of Sabris qawwalis, conceived by Soni ji and created by Rustam Bora set the ball rolling for interaction with the guests. A brief video presentation depicting history of qawaalis in films was also made. It contained the first qawwali in Hindi film ‘Zeenat’ (1945) ‘Aahen Na Bhari Shikawe Na Kiye’. The presentation also showed two songs without reference of which the history of qawwalis in films may not be complete – Hamen To Loot Liya Milke Husn Walon Ne (Al Hilal) and Na To Karvan Ki Talash Hai (Barsat Ki Raat).

Later Sabris shared their feelings about film music and described how they sang qawwali in Raj Kapoor’s ‘Henna’. Although the qawwali was recorded after Raj Kapoor’s death but the tinsel world showman who had great sense of music had personally finalised its composition sitting with music director Ravindra Jain before his demise.

Fareed Saheb said when they were emerging in the field of qawwali people used to take them lightly saying how can Rajasthanis sing Persian qawwalis. “But we proved every one wrong and established ourselves”, he said.

“We are proud to be Rajasthani. People leave their place to stay in Mumbai or Delhi because it is felt that to reach the top one has to be in bigger places. But we never left our home in Jaipur and achieved success”, he added.

When the Saabris were introduced to Sangeeta ji they were thrilled to meet the daughter of great music director Madan Mohan. Sayeed Saabri said : “We ourselves are fan of Madan Mohan whose music we always cherished. No one has been able to fill the void created by Madan Mohan’s demise”.

Another special event in the meeting was playing of audio message sent by finest broadcaster Ameen Sayaani from Mumbai specially for the members of Suryatra. The message was recorded by a senior member of the group Anil Bhargava at At Sayani’s office in Mumbai.

Bhargava’s two books – History of Hindi Film Music and Binaca Geetmala Ka Safar were also discussed.

Ameen Sayani too acknowledged contribution of Bhargava’s work in listing Annual Binaca Geetmala songs listings.

Before the conclusion of the meeting Sabris sang a qawwali for the members indicating their distinct style which gives them an edge over others.

The meeting missed its most active member Pavan Jha who had to rush Mumbai in the morning to attend a function in honour of Gulzar Saab.

The videos will be posted soon.. Keep waiting…